A/N: De-anon from the falloutkinkmeme community. I've already de-anoned on AO3 so it's about time I have it over here too. (Btw the major difference of this version and the kink meme version is that I changed SS's name into Nate.

No beta so there might be grammar errors, spelling errors, etc.

The computer felt ancient. Then again, almost everything in this room including Nate himself was about 200 years old. The terminal was covered in dust and debris. How the poor thing managed to avoid every single bullet between Nate and the raiders was a big mystery. The terminal emitted a dull green light once Nate pressed enter. For a second, the former vault dweller reminisced the days he spent working an office job. At the time, he thought life was difficult. A career in the day, a family to take care of at night. He should have realized sooner how simple life was.

Nate sometimes wondered how the rest of his life would have played out if the war didn't happen. Certainly it would have been more peaceful than this. Maybe, he would have been happier. Who knows? Now wasn't the time to feel sorry for the life he had lost.

He has a lot of people in his life he wanted to protect. In his old life, he failed horribly. It's going to be different this time. He'll keep everyone safe.

Nate didn't realize how long he'd blanked out. The man was deep in thought for so long, he had forgotten that Nick was accompanying him to the raiders' hideout.

"I think you need to type the password to access the terminal, Nate," the synth remarked casually.

Nate blinked and replied with a shocked, "Ohmygod. Nick, I almost pulled my gun out on you."

Nick just shrugs as a reply. The old detective then glanced at the terminal in front of Nate, probably as a reminder that there was a huge stock of ammo right beyond the locked door. Right. They're almost done clearing out this place too.

Nate stretched his fingers and began typing. The encryption wasn't that difficult. It would probably take a few seconds to unlock it. From a close distance, Nick was silently observing. It's strange. The gumshoe has seen Nate do this a multitude of times. Was he fascinated watching two relics work just as well as they did 200 years ago? Or is he just plainly interested how something as basic as a door opening terminal became something as complicated as modern synths? Maybe… Somewhere in that old tin heart of his, he just likes watching Nate?

Impossible. Just. That's impossible. Why would Nick be interested in a person who's so out-of-place in this world? That doesn't make any sense.

God, why does Nate's mindset always return to this?

This… Stupid crush. Crap, now Nate lost his focus. The machine in front of him timed-out.

Nick didn't seem to react to Nate's mistake. He just stared at the machine like he was expecting his human companion to try again. (Of course, Nate was going to hack the terminal once more. There was a ton of goodies behind that door.) But… It was harder with Nick breathing down his shoulder. Well, technically synths don't "breathe". It was Nick's overwhelming presence that made the hacking much more difficult. This sudden self-consciousness was driving Nate up the wall.

Maybe one day, Nate will gain the confidence to tell Nick, "Hey, I have a spare wedding ring. I think you should wear it."

Wait no. It's just a crush! Marriage? Nate wouldn't say he's swooning for Nick.

Nate heard the sound of a door unlocking in the distance. Oh, the terminal was unlocked.

Nate swung his head just in time to catch a glimpse of Nick's smile.

Still not swooning.

"Is there any machine you can't charm?" Nick said in an obviously flirty manner.

Fuck.

This was bad. Horrible. Wait. Nick is pretty good at reading people. Perhaps, the detective already knows about Nate's crush?

No. Nick wouldn't play a friend like that.

"C'mon. If you keep staring you're going to burn a hole into that wall," Nick said as he strolled toward the room full of ammo.

Did he not notice the blush on Nate's checks? Or the nervous glances Nate is sending his way? Can a detective actually be that oblivious?

Nate sighed. Did he just realize he's in love with Nick now?

The duo had finally cleared up the last of the raiders' hideout. They took what they needed and decided to head back to the Sanctuary before nightfall.

The sky was a brilliant red and orange. The warm sunset lit the landscape comfortable. Nate was tired. It's not every day you find out you're helplessly in love with one of your best friends. There was a lot on his mind. Nick didn't seem to notice the change in atmosphere at all. There was tension. There's something unsaid. Maybe what's left unsaid goes both ways.

Even if Nick doesn't notice this hint, it's definitely worth a shot.

"Hey, Nick," Nate managed to cough out.

"Yes?" the synth replied with interest.

"Just one."

It was a quiet walk back home.